Same ol' election rhetoric 

Dan Carpenter is at it again. He lost to Adam Hill by more than 10 points in the primary election for 3rd District supervisor, so you'd think he'd try something new.

But once again, Carpenter is launching personal attacks on Hill. And then trying to grab votes by playing both sides of the issues. I guess a leopard doesn't change its spots.

For example, Carpenter now claims Hill is somehow responsible for the decision to close the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant (SLO Tribune letter, July 23). Really? Did he not read the statement by PG&E's chairman? This was an economic decision based on PG&E's long-term plan to move to renewable sources of energy production and storage over the next 10 to 20 years.

I guess Carpenter would have the SLO County Board of Supervisors coerce PG&E to spend billions patching up an aging nuclear plant rather than invest in the energy jobs we need in the future as Hill wants to do.

Carpenter also has a newfound interest in environmentalism. He was against creating a marine sanctuary off our coastline and against the Pismo Preserve. But now he wants to put the entire Diablo Canyon area into preservation after the plant closes. Of course, that wouldn't create many new jobs, so he covers himself by saying we should actually "make the best and highest use" of the land.

It reminds me of Carpenter saying "as a candidate" he is opposed to the oil trains, but "as a supervisor" he would support the property rights of Phillips 66. Does he really think he's fooling people?

In reality, Hill is already working with PG&E and Cal Poly on ideas like building a marine research center and other job-producing projects. He has an actual track record of bringing good jobs here.

Carpenter's only real selling point is that he's lived here a long time.

That didn't work last June and it won't work this November.